Shoulder-brace.



No. 796,623. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905-.

J. H. BAILEY.

SHOULDER BRAGE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.27. 1904.

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manen/..1 www c: mom-Lvwmwwins, msmcrav u c JOSEPH H. BAILEY, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

SHOULDER-BRACE. i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed October 27, 1904.` Serial No. 230,175.

To /LZZ whom, it perry concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. BAILEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Shoulder-Brace, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in shoulder-braces; and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a shoulder-brace that will support the shoulders and effectually prevent the wearer from stooping forward to an extent that would be prejudicial to health and one that does not compress or draw the shoulders together; second, a shoulderbrace that furnishes a support to the back and shoulders and at the same time permits perfect freedom of movement in the body and upper extremities without binding and interfering' with the comfort of the wearer. I attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, reference being had to the drawings. and the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a device constructed according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing the invention applied.

This brace consists of -First, a flat strip of spring-steel, covered with leather or other material, curved to tit the contour of the back, as shown at 1, Fig. l, and when in position extends horizontally across the shoulders over the centers of the scapulae, as shown at l, Fig. 2, and is provided with loops at either end at 5 for the insertion of the straps 7 These straps, which pass over the shoulders and under the axillae, are provided with the shields 6 and hold the upper part of the brace in position.

Second, to the center of the strip l and extending at right angles from it the end of a similar strip of spring steel, also covered with leather or other material, is connected at 3 by the movable pivot-joint 4. This strip extends downward along the spinal column when the brace is in position, terminating at the waist-line, (see 2, Fig. 2,) where it is held in position by the strap 9, inserted through either of the adjusting-loops 8 and passing around the waist.

From the foregoing description it will be easy to understand that a shoulder-brace embodying my invention will engage the shoulders at the arm-pits without compressing or drawing them together, at the same time will furnish support to the back in such a manner as to in no way interfere with the movements of the back or shoulders. As a result the body is not restricted or hampered while undergoing the various bending movements necessary for performing the usual avocations of the wearer.

By reason of the flexibility of the springsteel and peculiar construction of the shoulder-brace the vertical strip extending along the spinal column acts as a lever, the tendency being to keep the shoulders in a normal position. This shoulder-brace as designed can be worn by persons of either sex, the result being the same.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a device of the character described, a vertical strip, a cross-strip pivoted centrally to the upper end of the vertical strip, a series of loops at the opposite end of the vertical strip arranged one above the other, straps loosely held by the free ends of the crossstrip, shields loosely held on the straps, and a waist-strap adapted to loosely engage one of the loops of the vertical strip.

In testimony whereof I have set my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH H. BAILEY.

Witnesses:

S. HARRISON WHITE, A. W. LENNARD. 

